title: A new guide tube for odontoid screw fixation for unstable odontoid fractures: report of 6 case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We describe a modified form of traditional open surgery with a new guide tube. This guide tube permits anterior screwing of odontoid in a shorter time with a more simple technique as compared to traditional open surgery, endoscopic and percutaneous surgeries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our series includes 6 patients who were operated for unstable odontoid fracture. We used a new guide tube for anterior odontoid screw fixation. This guide tube was designed by the first author to facilitate the insertion of the K-wire for placement of a cannulated lag screw.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Successful placement of the odontoid screws and immediate spinal stabilization were achieved in all patients. Solid fusion was observed during follow-up time in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This screw insertion technique for odontoid screw fixation provides a minimally invasive, safe and easy surgery in contrast to other surgical approaches.
authors.affiliation: Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Manisa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yusuf Kurtulus
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Duransoy
authors.forename: Mesut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mete
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zileli
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Selcuki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D016683:Supine Position; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium